The Sunday Mirror says the side's owner is reported to have told a journalist from state-owned China Central Television that the Chelsea midfielder has already agreed a deal.

The 34-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as Roberto Di Matteo starts the process of replacing Chelsea's old guard, with the England midfielder's contract is up in June.

And a message appearing on Chinese social networking website Weibo claims that Lampard will be making a move when the transfer window reopens in two months' time after former team-mate Didier Drogba signed for Shanghai Shenhua last summer.